Job: Developmental Specialist- Early Childhood Educator Wanted!

UCP of Western Massachusetts

208 West St
Pittsfield, MA 01201

Company Description:
UCP of Western Massachusetts serves people with all types of disabilities, including Cerebral Palsy (CP). Our agency is dedicated to advancing the independence, productivity and full community inclusion for everyone we support. Our innovative programs are designed to serve children, adults and families. What sets UCP of Western Massachusetts apart is our approach — we are family focused and offer personalized services to meet the needs of each individual we serve.
Salary Range:Location:
Per Year NORTH ADAMS MA
Job Type:Category:
Full TimeHuman Services
Education Level:Work Experience:
Bachelor's Degree
Preference: Required
Up to One Year
Preference: Preferred
Skills/Certifications/Licences:
Certified Early Intervention Specialist - Preference: Preferred
Description:

Job Location: Northern Berkshire County
Job Type: Full Time/37.5 hours
Early Intervention Developmental Specialist

Are you a child educator with a 4 year degree passionate about working with infants and toddlers while supporting and empowering families? We are seeking an Early Intervention Developmental Specialist to provide screening and assessments and therapeutic developmental services to children served in the early intervention program, in individual group settings, or play therapy sessions using a family centered, coaching approach. These children are between the ages of birth and three years whose development is at risk by certain biological or environmental factors. 

Benefits include:

  • Health insurance first of month after date of hire
  • Life and disability benefits paid by UCP
  • Vacation/Sick/Personal/Holiday program
  • 403(b) retirement program with match
  • Tuition Remission Program
  • Mileage reimbursement
  • Referral Program

 Some duties include:

  • Provision of therapeutic, developmental services at home, daycare, group or any natural environment as determined the parent/caregiver chooses and in partnership with the family 
  • Empowering families to advocate for the rights and needs of their child/children 
  • Providing education and guidance to families on individual children’s growth and development across all developmental domains, parenting issues and community services
  • Providing instruction to parents in implementation of developmental activities at their level of understanding, emphasizing and understanding of principles behind activity selection, provide support and guidance for families to assist with utilization of community resources available to them (i.e. SSI, respite care, etc.) 
  • Preparing and submitting child assessment and progress notes in accordance with program policies and procedures
  • Serve on trans-disciplinary team administering developmental assessments- administer/observe child’s physical, emotional, communication, and cognitive responses to a variety of developmental tasks and record those observations 
  • Serve on intake team to verbally present information to the family about the Early Intervention Program and answer questions. 
  • Serve on Individualized Family Service Plan (ISFP) team -  explain the ISFP process to parents/caregivers, development of parent/caregiver directed goals, and establishment of  client service plan 
  • Serve as case manager and provide oversight of the child’s case, assuring that goals and services on the IFSP, and as determined by the child’s parents/caregivers, are met 
  • Provide assistance with transition planning prior to discharge from the program 
Requirements:

Qualifications:

  • 300 or more hours of practicum or work experience with children birth to 5 
  • Bachelor's degree with at least 4 3-credit courses that focus on infant, toddlers, and/or families 
  • Major or concentration in a related field preferred 
  • Certification as an Early Intervention Specialist by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH), or ability to achieve full certification within two years of hire. 
  • Experience with family therapy, behavioral change programs, autistic population, parenting concerns and issues. 
  • Familiarity with child development, specialized treatment approaches to families of disabled children (i.e. grief therapy, crisis intervention, group facilitation, individual and group counseling, family dynamics, psychosocial development, family adaption’s, community and financial resources). 
  • Ability to design and facilitate developmental playgroups, parent support groups/sibling groups, etc. 
  • Ability to maintain CPR/First Aid certification for children/infants
  • Maintain valid driver's license, current auto insurance, availability of a private vehicle.
  • Proficiency with Microsoft Office
  • Comfortable learning and conducting services with remote application such as Zoom 
  • A pre-employment exam including a statement of physical limitations in working with children,
  • A negative Mantoux TB test or a clear chest x-ray
  • Evidence of immunity for measles, mumps and rubella (MMR)
  • Must be able to climb, stoop, get up and down from floors, sit on floors for varying periods of time, reach with hands and arms as well a lift and move up to 40 pounds.
  • Must have an acceptable CORI, SORI, DPPC and National Fingerprint Check.